Today

[Lurker#3]

Had a quick nosey at the stats now my hangover has subsided.

Interesting reading.

We played the joint 5th lowest amount of passes into the final third of any game this season. We also had the most touches in our defensive third all season. This goes against the general feeling that Tony has "taken the shackles off" in general play and we were keeping safe possession for the most part.

What was interesting though that we made the joint 2nd highest number of entries into their penalty area this year. So whilst we didn't attack much, when we did we tried to impact the penalty area by either passing into or carrying into that space.

The other thing which I like is we played the 5th lowest number of crosses this season. Which shows he is trying to get our players to attack the penalty area rather than swing in aimless crosses which I don't like.

Will be interesting to see what patterns develop in the data over the coming weeks as we see ToMos philosophy get embedded.

One of the frustrations was how we used to so rarely see players making a run into the box, and if teams shut down our threat from wide positions we had no plan B. Nice to see we are proving the whole pitch.

We have generally been okay against unorganised wide open teams, and have always counter attacked well and in decent numbers.

The big thing I am interested in is when a team does what the majority have done against us, like Stoke couple weeks back, which is getting really narrow and compact, and get into a good shape which takes away all the space. 

I think the scoreline has papered over what was largely an average performance in terms of our approach, and hope ToMo gets some patterns of play into them this week. I just worry he's focussing more on making individuals "feel good" and "instilling confidence". If we want to change our approach play we still need it drilling into them.

[Brentbaggie]

Confidence first - plans second. Which means getting them playing with desire - Swift and Wallace certainly seemed to have gained a yard in thought and speed. To start changing how we play straight away risks forcing players to concentrate on systems and orders rather than a belief in their own ability. The former has to come little by little.

[Lurker#3]

Confidence first - plans second. Which means getting them playing with desire - Swift and Wallace certainly seemed to have gained a yard in thought and speed. To start changing how we play straight away risks forcing players to concentrate on systems and orders rather than a belief in their own ability. The former has to come little by little.

The danger is slipping into the trap of banking on your better players doing something out of the ordinary and not focussing on the tactical instructions.its much harder to whip a team into a cohesive unit, with good habits and effective and repeatable patterns. 

This is why it took CC a whole to get it settled after Stevie Bruce. 

Always get the basics right and embedded, then you can afford to let one or 2 players perform outside that structure. The other way around means at some point removing freedom and human don't like that.

[ColliersWoodBaggie]

The structure is embedded in these players and Mowbray has said not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

[Brentbaggie]

The structure is embedded in these players and Mowbray has said not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Quite. See above.

[Lurker#3]

The structure is embedded in these players and Mowbray has said not to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

I am talking about attacking patterns of play. Not defensive structure. 

Both side of the game need drilling and coaching consistently. Or else you end up with a Sam Allardyce/David Moyse/Sean Dyche style. Well drilled off the ball but depending on individuals to win games.

[MrBater]

Had a quick nosey at the stats now my hangover has subsided.

Interesting reading.

We played the joint 5th lowest amount of passes into the final third of any game this season. We also had the most touches in our defensive third all season. This goes against the general feeling that Tony has "taken the shackles off" in general play and we were keeping safe possession for the most part.

What was interesting though that we made the joint 2nd highest number of entries into their penalty area this year. So whilst we didn't attack much, when we did we tried to impact the penalty area by either passing into or carrying into that space.

The other thing which I like is we played the 5th lowest number of crosses this season. Which shows he is trying to get our players to attack the penalty area rather than swing in aimless crosses which I don't like.

Will be interesting to see what patterns develop in the data over the coming weeks as we see ToMos philosophy get embedded.

One of the frustrations was how we used to so rarely see players making a run into the box, and if teams shut down our threat from wide positions we had no plan B. Nice to see we are proving the whole pitch.

We have generally been okay against unorganised wide open teams, and have always counter attacked well and in decent numbers.

The big thing I am interested in is when a team does what the majority have done against us, like Stoke couple weeks back, which is getting really narrow and compact, and get into a good shape which takes away all the space. 

I think the scoreline has papered over what was largely an average performance in terms of our approach, and hope ToMo gets some patterns of play into them this week. I just worry he's focussing more on making individuals "feel good" and "instilling confidence". If we want to change our approach play we still need it drilling into them.

I think whenever any team goes 3 or more up in the first half then the second half performance can largely be ignored as it's job done so relax a little and conserve energy, you rarely get two full on halves of scoring and effort once you're in a comfortable lead. So the stats somewhat can be ignored, unless you're only looking at the first half ones.

[Lurker#3]

I think whenever any team goes 3 or more up in the first half then the second half performance can largely be ignored as it's job done so relax a little and conserve energy, you rarely get two full on halves of scoring and effort once you're in a comfortable lead. So the stats somewhat can be ignored, unless you're only looking at the first half ones.

I didnt watch the second half to be honest, for that reason. We were 4 up and I had friends to go see. To be honest I hadn't looked at the stats for each half. 

But we had more shots second half (10) than first (8). But we had 72% of the ball first half. But most of that was in our own third. With little in the way of persistent attacking threat but some good counter attacking when Pompey completely to lost the plot.

[MancBaggie]

I think whenever any team goes 3 or more up in the first half then the second half performance can largely be ignored as it's job done so relax a little and conserve energy, you rarely get two full on halves of scoring and effort once you're in a comfortable lead. So the stats somewhat can be ignored, unless you're only looking at the first half ones.

I didnt watch the second half to be honest, for that reason. We were 4 up and I had friends to go see. To be honest I hadn't looked at the stats for each half. 

But we had more shots second half (10) than first (8). But we had 72% of the ball first half. But most of that was in our own third. With little in the way of persistent attacking threat but some good counter attacking when Pompey completely to lost the plot.

Looks like you were meeting Johnnie Walker and Captain Morgan by the sound of your hangover yesterday...

[Tom Joad]

Had a quick nosey at the stats now my hangover has subsided.

Interesting reading.

We played the joint 5th lowest amount of passes into the final third of any game this season. We also had the most touches in our defensive third all season. This goes against the general feeling that Tony has "taken the shackles off" in general play and we were keeping safe possession for the most part.

What was interesting though that we made the joint 2nd highest number of entries into their penalty area this year. So whilst we didn't attack much, when we did we tried to impact the penalty area by either passing into or carrying into that space.

The other thing which I like is we played the 5th lowest number of crosses this season. Which shows he is trying to get our players to attack the penalty area rather than swing in aimless crosses which I don't like.

Will be interesting to see what patterns develop in the data over the coming weeks as we see ToMos philosophy get embedded.

One of the frustrations was how we used to so rarely see players making a run into the box, and if teams shut down our threat from wide positions we had no plan B. Nice to see we are proving the whole pitch.

We have generally been okay against unorganised wide open teams, and have always counter attacked well and in decent numbers.

The big thing I am interested in is when a team does what the majority have done against us, like Stoke couple weeks back, which is getting really narrow and compact, and get into a good shape which takes away all the space. 

I think the scoreline has papered over what was largely an average performance in terms of our approach, and hope ToMo gets some patterns of play into them this week. I just worry he's focussing more on making individuals "feel good" and "instilling confidence". If we want to change our approach play we still need it drilling into them.

Agree with the (highlighted) first part of this. We struggled when team don't come out, defending deep and refusing to press us. That is why we do ok away from home when teams are expected to attack. If ToMo can work out how to unlock the more stubborn defences we will be in for an interesting run in.